Millésime 2003

Wine Advocate #170 - Apr 2007

Score : 100

A pure aromatic smorgasbord is offered by the 2003 Cote Rotie La Turque, which has an amazing aromatic profile of espresso coffee interwoven with scorched earth, tar, truffle, incense, blackberry, bacon fat, and flowers. Powerful, thick flavors ooze across the palate with a viscous texture, amazing purity, and just enough acidity and tannin to give uplift and precision to this remarkable tour de force in winemaking. Of the 2003s, this is also approachable, but ideally 2-5 years of cellaring would be suggested, and the wine will evolve for at least 30 more years. Drink: 2009 - 2037. Robert Parker.

Wine Spectator - Aug 31, 2007

Score: 98

Incredibly dense and concentrated, with a polished layer of mocha-infused toast pushed by blackberry, black currant, black tea and dark olive flavors. This has tremendous power, but is also very suave, with sweet, exotic fruit notes that linger endlessly on the long, fleshy finish. Best from 2010 through 2030. 210 cases made. Designation: Collectibles. James Molesworth.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - Jan/Feb 05

Score : 95-98

 Full medium ruby. Superripe aromas of blackberry, black cherry, graphite, violet and gunflint. Boasts an incredible core of sappy black cherry fruit, with a noble volatility giving the wine great lift despite its sheer weight. This too boasts great density and today the finish is even more explosive than that of the Mouline, with torrefaction notes of chocolate and mocha. Stephen Tanzer.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - Jan/Feb 06

Score : 94-96

Inky violet. Explosive florist shop of a nose, with a powerful fruit component of cherry liqueur. Dense but juicy and fresh on the palate, with the deep, concentrated cherry flavor calling to mind the kirsch of legendary eau de vie producer Jean-Paul Mette. Offers a sappy, almost oily texture and great power. Finishes with outstanding persistence, the pure cherry and red plum flavors expanding on the back end. Josh Raynolds.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - Jan/Feb 07

Score :  94-95

Inky purple. Vibrant, floral, remarkably deep cherry and spiced plum aromas. Lush and sweet, with an oily texture and an impressively deep kirsch quality complicated by an exotic violet pastille tone. Finishes sweet and very long, with very good lift and a lingering cherry note.  Josh Raynolds.

Guide Bettane & Desseauve des Vins de France

Score : 19/20

Nez plus puissant que La Mouline. La bouche est encore plus concentrée, avec un jus de fruits noirs et de réglisse. La douceur de fin de bouche est remarquable, avec une finale sur le tabac. Énorme ! Il vieillira très bien.